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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.

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Mazda Verisa

Older compact tall hatchback praised for reliable service life and plush leather interior.

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Nissan Note

Extremely popular compact hatchback featuring revolutionary e-Power hybrid technology and 28+ km/L efficiency.

Best value
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Honda Fit

Incredibly fuel-efficient urban hatchback with Magic Seats and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Highest rated
Mazda VerisaNissan NoteHonda Fit
Mandai score
–
7.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,100,000
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,800,000
Years
2014-2020
2017-2023
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Verisa 1.5 C / L Package (e-4WD)
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Fit 1.3L Home / Fit e:HEV Hybrid Luxe
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Fuel and running cost

Trim
Mazda Verisa 1.5L Petrol
Nissan Note e-Power
Fuel consumption
15.5 km/L6.5 L/100km combined · about 698 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
18.5 km/L5.4 L/100km combined · about 740 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,464 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,643 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,227 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 12,268 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length
3,975 mm
4,100 mm
3,990 mm (GK) / 4,040 mm (GR)
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,530 mm
1,520 mm
1,525 mm
Wheelbase
2,490 mm
2,600 mm
2,530 mm
Ground clearance
155 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
290 L (880 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
304 L (1,205 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,100 kg
1,220 kg
1,070 kg (Petrol) / 1,200 kg (Hybrid)
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.5L ZY-VE DOHC 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.3L L13B i-VTEC / 1.5L e:HEV Hybrid
Power
113 hp @ 6,000 rpm
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
100 hp (1.3L) / 109 hp combined (e:HEV)
Torque
140 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
280 Nm instant electric torque
119 Nm (1.3L) / 253 Nm electric motor torque (e:HEV)
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
11.2 sec
7.9 sec
10.2 sec (1.3L) / 9.4 sec (e:HEV)
Top speed
170 km/h
150 km/h
180 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
15.5 km/L
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
18.5 km/L (1.3L) / 28.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
City
13.0 km/L
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
15.5 km/L (1.3L) / 26.5 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
Highway
18.0 km/L
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 29.5 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
Tank size
45 L
41 L
40 L
CO₂ emissions
150 g/km
82 g/km
98 g/km (Hybrid)

At a glance

Model
Mazda Verisa (DC5W / DC5R Series)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Honda Fit (GK3/GK5 & GR1/GR3 Series)
Production years
2014–2020
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Tall Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Compact Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol (i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Engine sizes
1,498 cc (1.5L Petrol)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
1,317 cc / 1,496 cc
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
CVT Automatic / e-CVT
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD or Real Time AWD
Ground clearance
155 mm
150 mm
145 mm (150 mm Crosstar)
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good
  • Simple, reliable ZY-VE non-turbo engine mechanicals.
  • Plush half-leather/fabric upholstery with dark wood trim.
  • Sub-1,500 cc low import duty valuation.
  • Instant 280 Nm electric torque: Smooth, rapid acceleration away from Nairobi traffic lights.
  • Exceptional 28+ km/L fuel economy: Slashes monthly commuter fuel bills by over 50%.
  • Generous rear knee room: Cavernous rear passenger space despite compact 4.1m length.
  • Magic Seat versatility: Rear seat cushions flip up or fold flat to carry tall cargo and bicycles.
  • Sub-1,500 cc import duty advantage: Qualifies for KRA's lowest customs tax valuation bracket.
  • Exceptional e:HEV fuel efficiency: Delivers up to 28.0 km/L in stop-and-go Nairobi city traffic.
What’s not so good
  • Dated 4-speed automatic transmission.
  • Discontinued production limits body panel sourcing.
  • 150 mm ground clearance: Requires care over tall speed bumps when fully loaded.
  • Engine generator sound under heavy hill climbs: 1.2L engine revs up to charge battery during steep ascents.
  • 145 mm ground clearance: Requires slow navigation over steep estate speed bumps when fully loaded.
  • Third-generation DCT hybrid recall history: 2014–2016 i-DCD dual-clutch models require transmission software check.
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